76 - The Stormy 21st Century Transfer Window
Zinedine Zidane Heads to Real Madrid for Record 77.5 Million Euros.
Florentino Perez: 'Galactico Project Proceeding Smoothly.'
Juventus, Having Lost Zidane, Hunts for Replacement.
No sooner had he set foot in Italy than the whole neighborhood was buzzing about Zidane's transfer. For years, Serie A had been Europe's biggest-spending league. But after Luis Figo in 2000, now Zinedine Zidane in 2001 had seen club records snatched away by England and Spain, respectively.
And right now, I was in Parma, Italy, aiming for a massive signing in this transfer window. Chatting with Kevin Phillips over the phone from a nearby café, no less.
"Kevin, during your two years as our Rovers' main gunner, did you have a lot of regrets?"
"No, not at all. On the contrary, I'm truly grateful to Blackburn for giving a Second Division player like me the glory of the Golden Boot and the European Golden Shoe."
"You mentioned wanting a new challenge—what kind of challenge are you after?"
A long sigh came from the receiver. Kevin Phillips sounded weary.
"I underperformed at Euro 2000 and haven't been getting many England calls. I want to succeed abroad and make my name known."
The complete opposite of Gattuso's situation before. Italy demanded you shine domestically to make your name; England wanted you to do it overseas.
"Offers have come from Parma and Roma in Italy, Dortmund in Germany, and such. I'm planning to negotiate with Parma."
"Doesn't matter to me. Thank you sincerely for approving it, boss."
It was a shame, but if his heart was gone, what could I do? I'd have to let him go for a good price.
"Shall we go?"
"Yes, boss."
I took chief scout David Hopson and headed to Parma's stadium. For this season, I was torn between two players. I'd sign one for sure: Lazio's Alessandro Nesta or Parma's Liliane Thuram. I'd made offers to both.
Lazio declared "Not For Sale" and dug in their heels, refusing to sell no matter what. Nesta was world-class, sure, but with their finances not blown on Mendieta, they had the cash to renew.
Parma, on the other hand, had made a counteroffer for Thuram.
'We need Kevin Phillips, you need Thuram? Come on over. Let's talk.'
It was Parma president Calisto Tanzi's proposal.
After the call, we arrived at his office, and he welcomed us with applause.
"Welcome, UEFA Cup champions."
"It's been a while."
Tanzi laughed heartily, lit a cigarette, and poured us coffee. The Parma Azienda milk-laced coffee had a sweet, memorable taste.
"You want to take Thuram?"
"Yes, Mr. President."
"Juventus is looking to reinforce within Serie A after selling Zidane. They offered 40 million for Thuram."
Pure bluff... Thuram was a top-tier defender, but he'd never topped 40 million euros. Negotiations were around 35 million, and from what I knew, that's what the actual fee ended up being.
"What price did you have in mind for Kevin Phillips, Mr. President?"
"Around 18 million euros?"
"Come on, I was thinking at least 23 million."
"Five million difference? That's nothing between us. You made a killing on our company stock, didn't you?"
I pulled out a cigarette too, and Tanzi handed me his gold lighter. I lit up, took a drag, and laid out the situation.
"You don't want to sell Thuram to Juventus, but we want him."
"Exactly."
"We can pay, though not quite Juventus-level. And since you want Phillips, a plus-player trade works."
"But we're not paying over 20 million for Phillips."
"Can we close a deal on day one? Let's take our time. We'll stick around Parma, sipping milk coffee."
"Hahaha!"
After that first meeting, we checked into a Parma hotel. Then a familiar face showed up: Jeong Gi-cheol, former manager of the Italian branch—now director, thanks to my recommendation.
"Boss, who's this?"
"He's the resident from the parent company, our ace for airtight intel in Italy."
I introduced Director Jeong and scout Hopson, then dove into a meeting in the hotel.
"This combines info from Choi Jun-hyeok at the German branch and what I've gathered in Italy."
I reviewed it with Hopson.
1. Major deal underway between Dortmund and Parma. Parma's star striker Marcos Amorim to Dortmund for 26m; Parma proposes Evaniilson + 11m, negotiations ongoing.
2. Parma GK Buffon caught between Barcelona and Juventus. Parma insists no sale to Juve, but 53m talks put team finances at stake.
3. Juventus prioritizes Thuram; if fails, targets Tottenham's Sol Campbell or Man Utd's Jaap Stam.
4. Thuram's agent: Oscar Damiani, legend at both Juve and Parma. Strong Juve ties, actively persuading.
5. Parma eyes Roma's Hidetoshi Nakata; competing with Lazio/Juve, but Roma won't sell to Lazio. Essentially Juve vs. Parma. Juve targets Nedved-Nakata-Hui Costa as Zidane replacements.
"Marcos Amorim?"
"Brazilian striker who won Serie A Golden Boot a couple seasons back. Dortmund eyeing Phillips means..."
"The puzzle fits."
Dortmund was picking between Parma's Marcos and Blackburn's Phillips for attack reinforcement. Dortmund in Phillips talks meant they'd pivot to him if the Marcos deal collapsed.
Calisto, that sly fox—refusing Thuram to Juve but shopping Buffon anyway?
I knew about 3 from English press. If we nabbed Thuram, Juve would chase Campbell or Stam.
Agent like that, huh?
Complex: Nakata in the mix post-Zidane? Made sense; back then, Nakata was hailed as Totti's equal after Roma's title.
"What do you think?"
"Plenty of room to wedge in. Convince Thuram or his agent, and he's ours."
"Bonus: Juve shifts to Campbell/Stam, weakening a rival."
Nesta was the world's best defender; Thuram, from outer space. Odds favored Thuram, so we crunched option clauses with Parma.
Parma in Transfer Battle with Juventus for Roma's Hidetoshi Nakata.
England's Kevin Phillips Requests Transfer; Parma Shows Interest.
Bloody Serie A Signing War: Who Emerges Victorious?
We held out a day, into the second. Tanzi and I settled on option terms.
"20m base, rest options? Guarantee 10 goals, 30+ appearances. We don't sell problem players."
"Still pricey, but remember? Juve offered 40m for Thuram. Phillips +20m, let's sign."
"Mr. President, I'd love to sign fast. But we both know a million euros swings a club's future."
"Young man's persistent. Fine, call back later."
The call ended with a sigh. No way I'd let him lowball. My target: Phillips +15m for Thuram.
Leaving Hopson and Director Jeong's team crunching data, I stepped into the hotel lobby late evening. Amid the bustle, my eyes met a white man's. Massive build—easily over 120kg—grinning white teeth, striding over in a hoodie and sunglasses.
New face, but why smile and approach me?
"Hello~"
"Who are you?"
"Blackburn's boss, Mr. Lee?"
"You know me?"
The giant extended a huge hand.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Mino Raiola. Juventus are bastards, and I hate Luciano Moggi."
"!"
Mino Raiola? That super agent?
I jumped up and shook his hand.
"Didn't expect this. Lee Dae-hyun."
"Drink?"
Raiola dragged me straight to the hotel basement bar.
"Boss, red vermouth here!"
He ordered boldly, sliding the bill my way.
"Fine, let's hear it."
"After a drink."
"!"
"I only do business with those who share a drink."
Ridiculous—I laughed. Out came the Italian fortified wine vermouth, infamous from some cartoon. We clinked glasses. Whiskey-strong bite; Raiola downed his, shoveled fried almonds, crunched away. Poured another to rinse, lit a cigarette.
"So, what?"
"Want to introduce my clients."
"Out of the blue?"
"I hate Moggi."
Raiola and Juve GM Luciano Moggi were mortal enemies. Super agent based in Italy/Netherlands vs. Italy's top club's director—oil and water, but this blunt?
"I want to screw Moggi, so no sending my guys to Juve."
"I'm after Thuram now—you're not his agent."
Raiola beckoned me close, whispering in my ear.
"Thuram's got great social awareness. Prepping a personal foundation for anti-racism campaigns, environmental protection, raising awareness of Africa's colonial history. Plans a history museum post-retirement."
"!"
"Sponsor the foundation, offer to enroll his kids in English-speaking schools with diverse, multi-ethnic kids. He'll bite."
High-level intel! Force his hand personally.
"Moggi doesn't know, and agent Oscar can sing Juve's praises all he wants—won't sway him."
"Great info. Thanks."
"Told you—I hate Moggi."
Raiola aiding a Thuram hijack to spite Juve.
"In return, introduce my clients. Top commissions, of course."
One name flashed: Raiola's star client, one I personally loved.
"Pavel Nedved!"
"Ho?"
"Figo might go to Real next year."
"That situation?"
"Contract-wise. Not this season, but if Figo leaves next, I want Nedved as replacement."
"Wait a year? More commission."
"Here's payment."
I handed him Director Jeong's intel packet. He donned glasses, nodded.
"Lots I didn't know. Means we can talk deeper business."
"Exactly."
"Juve eyes my Nedved as Zidane replacement. Keep him this year, sell to you next."
"You bet~"
Raiola sipped his third vermouth.
"Use Phillips to snag Thuram—tilt toward Parma."
"!"
"Parma replaces Thuram with Evaniilson and Matteo Ferrari; Phillips fills attack, kills Nakata interest. Nedved stays out of Juve."
"Juve pivots to Nakata?"
Butterfly effect gold.
"Nakata top attacking mid despite Totti's symbolism, but Plan C. Post-Zidane: Nedved-Hui Costa-Nakata order."
Summary:
1. Juve sells Zidane, seeks Thuram-Buffon-Nedved.
2. Agent Raiola hates Juve, tips Thuram grab via Phillips to Parma.
3. Parma drops Nakata; Nedved stays Lazio. Juve fills Zidane hole with Nakata/Hui Costa.
4. Post-2002 Figo exit, Nedved replaces—Raiola promises to sell to EPL, 40m minimum.
"Paul Ince left, right? Nice UEFA Cup sendoff."
"Need central mids."
"More clients in Netherlands than Italy. Just moved a Swedish beanpole to Ajax; got central mid alternatives for Ince."
"Who?"
"Mark van Bommel, PSV's 24-year-old. Special price."
Van Bommel for Ince; pave Nedved path next year?
"Generous commission."
"One more?"
This felt like a massive deal brewing. Even future post-Figo Blackburn secured.